The now bustling city was once a modest river settlement, and playing with Singapore's open museum concept, local artists created the “People of the River” to create a window into to the city's history. Located in the Boat Quay, which back in the 1860s handled three quarters of the shipping service, the bathers seem to elicit joy to all who see them.
Five gleaming, life-sized chestnut-colored boys, naked as can be, are in different stages of leaping into the water. One throws his arms up as he falls through the air, another pushes his friend who is either to scared to jump, or blocking the route. One boy sits on the ledge, contemplating his jump, and the fifth has just noticed the fun, and is climbing the fence to get in on the action.
This piece, as well as the rest of the river people, can be found along the water of the Singapore River in the Boat Quay, positioned behind the Maybank Building and the Fullerton Hotel. A camera is suggested, it's hard to resist silly or inappropriate photos when surrounded by nude life-sized statues.
